Tractor.



H. RUEMELIN.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1914.

. w 6 El 6 1 y m E M Q 0 MW m mm X m e m 5 m m @u m \m/ e w P WM Q MM. F \HWM w Q im m \v \m 1 x Q 4 mm 15mm x mm mm QR w W m R. RUEMhLIN.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1914.

LQUfifiWL Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N MMQ$NMN N R. RUEMEUN.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1914.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. RUEIVIELIN.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION man NOV. 9. 1914.

Patented Dec. 12. 1916.

5 SHETSSHEET 4.

R. RUE'MELIN.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1914.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

moi-mien iannninnm, or" inmnnaroms, mirfmnso'ra, nssienoiaroMINNEAPOLIS srnnn a MACHINERY COMJE'ANY',01E mrnnnaroms; Mmnnso're, a CORPORATION;

TRACTOR; I

Specification of Lettersltatent. I :litltti. f

v Application met me e 9, 1 9 seri ai no. ari en.

To all-whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD RUE ELIN,

a citizen ofth'e United States, resident of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractors, of which the following is a specifi'catlon. This invention relates to improvements m tractors designed especially for hauling a gang of plows, although-applicable for use as a general purpose traction engine. i

The invention consists generally n the construction and combinations hereinafter described and particularly pointed out-in the claims.

In the accompanying drawi g -f mi g. part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tractor embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, Fig; is a side elevation and partial section of a portion of the driving-mechanis1n, Fig. 4- is a transverse section and partial elevation showing the principal features of the driv ing' mechanism, Fig. 5 is a detail showing the arrangement of theclutch in connection with theauxiliary driving wheel, Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 6'.6-of Fig. 5 look-' ing in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7 is a a detail of the sleeve connected with the main clutch, Fig. 8 is an elevation of the princi--.;

pal members of-the main clutch. I all of'the drawings, 2 represents the frame of the machine. This frame is pref-:.' erably constructed of a series of longitudinal.

other for holding gasolene. In starting the engine, gasolene w ll be employed, and after the engine is under way the gasolen'e supply maybe shut off and the kerosene supply turned on. The engine isprovidedwith a suitable shaft 7 upon which is secured a disk 8; and a fly -wheel' 9 'isseo ured in any-suit able manner to the disk 8 and shaft 7 The fly-wheel is provided with mprOjectingring 10*, and a frictionclutc'h is arranged toengage this ring. shaftlO is mounted near one end in a suitable bearing 11 and its- 5 opposite end is surrounded b e sleeve 12 into wliich-the-end of the-englne shaft 7 projects. The end of'thesha-ft 7 thereby forms a support for the e ndof the shaft 10.- The sleeve12'iskeyed to the shaft'lO, and it isi provided with the-outwardly extending arms l3 and '14, the-arms being-connected: by the plate 1 5 (see Fig; An arm l-o having 1 a" forked inner end-ispivoted'toone side of the arml3 and th e outer endof the arms 13 and 16 support-the ends of a fiexiblestrap that passes around the ring '10: of-the 'fl'y- Wheel 9. 'Asleeve 17 :provided-withthe op- I positely arranged lugs 18 is, mounted upon the sleeve'l2and is splined' thereto, so as toturn with said sleeve while capable of-a sliding motion'thereon. A: suitable forked lever 19engages a collar 1195 in a. circumfer;

ential recess. in the sleeve 17 The lever 19.

is pivoted upon a stationary'support upon the frame of the machine and it is provided with an extension to which is secured a" lever 20. .One end of this lever is proVid'edASQ with a suitable handleandtheothcr :enais connected to a brake 21 by a rod 22.

o claim is made in this application to the frlction clutch hereinwshownuand. described-y as the same is shown iii-my application for Patent No. 859346,'filed August 21, 1914. TheshaftlO hassecured thereon pinions 24: and 25. -These' pinions are of different sizes and they are preferably spaced; apart 3 by hubs projecting-toward each other -and are. spli'ned to the shaft.- The shaft=10 isalso;provided.with a pulley 26, which may be used for the application of a belt when the machine is to be used. for driving purposes generally. The hub of the pulley extends beyond the 'end-ofthe shaft; and has a pin-26 to which a crank can be applied for,

starting the engine. .The brake-21 hereinbefore referred to i may be brought against the face of the pulley 26 and this may be done ;by the same lei enthatwoperates the clutch. VV1th this arrangement the brake is 9 in position to be engaged by the foot of the moved away from the face of the pulley when the shaft 10 is clutched to the englne shaft. When the shaft 10 is released from the engine shaft the brakes will by the same movement of the lever be brought against the face of the pulley 26, which will cause 'the shaft 10 tobe quickly stopped.

Parallel with the shaft 10 and preferably mounted in bearings 28 upon the frame of the machine and in front of the shaft 10, is a shaft 29. This shaft has at one end a pinion 30 that engages the gear 30' on the main traction wheel. It also has a sleeve or hub 31 keyed to the shaft 29 so as to rotate therewith while being capable of sliding has secured to it the large ring gear 30'.

The opposite end of the shaft has a traction wheel 38 mounted-loosely thereon. The face of this wheel is provided with one member 39 of a ratchet clutch. The other member 40 of said clutch is secured upon the shaft 34 so that it must rotate with said shaft, while at the same time it is capable of sllding longitudinally thereon. The two clutch members have ratchet teeth, with one abrupt and one long incline for each tooth. The details of this clutch as I prefer to use it are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. As here'shown the shaft or axle 34 has pinned to it near its ends the two disks 42 and 43. The hub of the wheel 38 is mounted between these two disks. The disk 43 has preferably a pair of lugs 45, and the sliding collar 44 of the clutch member 40, has a pair of recesses to receive said lugs. A number of bolts 46 pass through the disk 43 and are secured in the clutch member 40. These boltsare provided with spiral springs 46' engaging the rear face of the disk 43 and tending to hold the clutch member 40 at all times in engagement with the clutch member 39. A yoke 47 engages the collar 44 of the clutch member 40 and a short rock shaft 48 mountedin a stationary bearing '49 is connected to this yoke. The other end of the .rock'shaft is connected to a diagonally arranged bar 50that has its end connected to a foot bar 51, extending upward and arranged operator of the machine. With this arrangement the clutch members 40 and 39 are normally held in engagement with each other. When, however, it is desired to release the auxiliary traction wheel 38 from the axle 34 gageinent with the pinion 25.

the clutch is operated by the means described so as to cause the member 40 to be dlsengaged from the member 39. This feature of the invention is of great importance. In driving straight ahead the clutch members will be engaged and both wheels w1ll be rigidly connected to the axles and will serve as traction wheels. When it is desired to swing the forward end of the tractor to the right, for example, in turning the maclune, the main tractor wheel will remain practically stationary if a short turn is made. The auxiliary tractor wheel 38 which swings around at the end of the axle must then turn faster than the main wheel. It is permitted to do this by the clutch connection between the wheel and the axle as the inclined faces of the ratchet teeth will ride over each other permitting the auxiliary tractor wheel to turn as rapidly as may be necessary. In turning the machine the other way the main tractor wheel must travel much more rapidly than the auxiliary tractor wheel, this last wheel remaining practically stationary when a short turn is made. This could not be acegmplished' if both wheels were fast upon the axle. With my present construction it is only necessary for the operator to disconnect the clutch members 40 and 39, and the auxiliary wheel 38 will then be permitted to remain practically stationary or to turn as slowly as may be required whilethe other wheel travels as fast as may be required.

In ordinary traction engines expensive and complicated differential 'gearings are provided to permit the wheels to travel at different rates of speed when required. By my combination and arrangement of devices I secure this result by the simple mechanism herein described. ,A

I also prefer to provide means by which the machine may be reversed. For this purpose the pinions 24 and 25 on the shaft 10 are arranged sufficiently far apart so that the gears 32 and 33 may be moved into neutral position between said pinions, and with- .out being in engagement with either of them. This neutral position is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. I provide a pivoted arm 52 carrying'a pinion 53, which is of sulficient width to enable it to engage the pinion 25 and at the same time to engage the gear 33 when the gears 32 and 33 are standing between the pinions 24 and 25. I also provide means for moving the gears 32 and 33, so as to bring the gear 32 into engagement with the pinion 24 and the gear 33 in en- For this purpose a rock shaft 54 is mounted in bearings in the frame of the machine and is provided with a yoke 55 that engages the hub 31 carrying the gears 32 and 33. A lever 56 is pivotally connected to the rock shaft 54 and extends upward through a slotted bearing plate 57. This plate has a aser "transverse slot and a short slot communieating with and atright. angles to the transand tends to hold; it; in; thetransverse part of the slot.

ing pinion 53. When the lever 56 stands in a vertical position the gears 32 and 33 are in a 'neutral position or between'the plIllOIlS 24 and 25. By moving the lever into eitherv end of the transverse slot the shaft 54 is rocked and one of the gears 32 or 33 is moved into engagement with the corresponding pinion 24 or 25. If it is desired to reverse the machine the lever 56 is first brought into a vertical position therebybringing the gears into neutral position. The lever is then pushed forward and caused to enter the longitudinal portion of the slot. This movement through the rod 58 and arm 52, will cause the pinion 53 to engage thepinion 25 and the gear 33. R- tation of the shaft from the engine will now cause the machine to move in a reverse or backward direction. By this means when the lever 56 is standing upright the wheels 32 and 33 are in neutral position, and the machine will remain stationary even though the engine is running. By moving the lever 56 in one direction into the end of the transverse slot in the bearing plate 57, one of the gears 32 or 33 will be moved into mesh with the corresponding pinion 24 .or 25 and the machine will be driven at a fast or slow speed depending upon which gear has been brought into engagement with its. driving pinion. If it is desired to reverse the travel of the machine the lever 56 must first be brought into an upright or neutral position, thereby disengaging the gear 32 or 33 from the corresponding pinion. This will bring the machine to a stationary position. Then by pushing forward on the lever 56 the same will be brought into theforward extension of the slot in the bearing plate 57, and, in the manner already described, the pinion 53 will be caused to engage the pinion 25, and the gear 33, and the machine will then be driven backward at a slow speed. By this means the operator through a single lever has complete control of the speed and direction of movement of the machine.

I prefer to provide upon the shaft 29 a brake wheel 60 having a friction brake strap 6i surrounding the same with one end rigidly connected to the frame of the machine and the other end connected to a pivoted foot lever 62. The end of this lever extends to a point near the operators position. By this means the friction brake may be applied whenever desired directly to the driving shaft 29. l also prefer to provide the ma- A rod 58 is connectedtothe lever and to the arm .52 carrying-the revers- By this means the wheel 64 may be turned chine with a suitable drivers seat- 63. ll also provide the machine 'with a sultable .steeringwheel 64, mounted in a yoke 65 that has preferably an inclined shaft 66 extending upwardrthrough an inclined bracket 67 Thisshaftuis provided with-a gear segment 6 engaged'by a worm pinion 69 on a shaft 70. This shaft is supported'in suitable bearings and hasv a hand-Wheel 71. arranged 1n close proximity to the operators seat 63.

in either direction for the purpose of guiding the machine. The yoke 65 isprovlded with a collar 7 6 at its upper end which bears against the lower preferably circular face 80, 77 of the bracket 67. :Whenthe steer ng wheel 64 and the yoke 65 are turned in either direction the inclined face of the collar 76 will tend to raise the bracket 67 The pressure then exerted by the face 77 of the bracket 67 on the collar 76 tends to turn the yoke 65 and wheel 64 back into normal position standing straight ahead or longitudinally of the machine. This arrangement of the yoke and bracket has a tendency to keep the steering wheel at all times in a straightahead position, and to bring it back to this position if it is turned either way. While I consider this an important feature of the invention, I may in some instances employ a steering wheel with a vertical fork instead of the inclined fork herein shown. I also prefer to provide the frame of the machine with a suitable operators platform 75. It will be understood that the details of the construction may be varied in many particulars without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination, in a'machine of the class described, with a frame, of a motor mounted upon said frame, an axle mounted in bearings upon said frame, a main traction wheel rigidly secured to said axle near one end thereof, and provided with a ring gear, 1 anauxiliary traction wheel loosely mounted upon said axle near its opposite end, a ratchet clutch having one member upon said axle and the other upon said auxiliary traction wheel, means for disconnecting said clutch at will, a shaft arranged parallel to. said axle and provided with a pinion engagmg the rmg gear upon the main traction wheel, and means arranged between said last named shaft and the engine for drivingv said shaft, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a machine of the class described, with'a frame, of a motor mounted upon said frame, an axle mounted in bearings upon said frame, a main traction wheel rigidly secured to said axle near one end thereof, and provided with a ring gear, an auxiliary traction Wheel looselymounted upon said axle near its opposite end. a ratchet clutch having one member 1740 upon said axle and the other upon said aux- Ward direction, and at a single speed in a iliary traction wheel, means for disconnectreverse direction, substantially as described. 10 ing said clutch at will, a shaft arranged par- In witness whereof, I have hereunto set allel to said axle and provided with a pinmy hand this 28" day of October 1914.

5 ion engaging the ring gear upon the main RICHARD RUEMELIN.

traction wheel, and means arranged between Witnesses: saidlast named-shaft and the engine for GENEVIEVE E. SoRENsEN, driving-said shaft at tWo speeds in a for- EDWARD A. PAUL.

Ooples of this patent may be obtained for five centl aaeh,by' addressing the Commissioner of l'atents Washington, D; 0." 

